Soulja Boy – “Zan With That Lean”
Soulja Boy Drops “Zan With That Lean” Music Video, Showcasing His Mixtape Hustle
Soulja Boy continues his reign as a pioneer of internet-driven rap music with the release of his latest music video, “Zan With That Lean.” The track, which appears on his Juice mixtape, follows the recent release of the video for the mixtape’s title track. With Juice making waves online, Soulja Boy is proving that his hustle remains unmatched, despite the challenges he’s faced in the industry. Instead, he’s taking his career back into his own hands. As a result, he’s dropped a new mixtape, and is pushing the music from it.
The Journey Back to Independence
The past year has been an eventful one for Soulja Boy. After the underwhelming commercial performance of his third studio album, The DeAndre Way, many speculated whether he could reclaim his dominance. Released under Interscope Records, the album failed to produce a major hit. Thus, a stark contrast to his earlier chart-toppers like “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” and “Turn My Swag On.” However, he did score an anthem in “Mean Mug,” with 50 Cent.
Rather than retreat, Soulja Boy took matters into his own hands. As a result, returning to the internet-driven mixtape circuit. Inspired by the likes of Lil Wayne and 50 Cent, he has embraced the mixtape grind. Therefore, dropping Juice as his latest independent project. Hosted by DJ Scream and DJ Swamp Izzo, the mixtape signals Soulja Boy’s resurgence and his commitment to staying relevant in the ever-changing hip-hop landscape.
The “Zan With That Lean” Music Video
Following the success of the “Juice” music video, Soulja Boy wasted no time delivering visuals for another fan-favorite track from the mixtape. “Zan With That Lean” features a high-energy performance, complete with Soulja Boy’s signature flashy style, beautiful women (a Nicki Minaj lookalike, no less!), and luxury cars.
Shot with vibrant, visuals, the music video captures a little bit of everything. First, there’s Soulja Boy rapping in front of several backdrops. One is a luxury car and the other is a painted portrait of a railroad with a train on it. Halfway through the video, despite the nature of the track, several small children make cameos. Suddenly, there’s a child’s birthday party going on, complete with a clown. Not to worry, there’s a man randomly dancing, interrupting the party.
With fellow artist Kwony Cash assisting on the track, the duo delivers a hypnotic blend of melodic flows and club-ready energy. The video showcases Soulja Boy’s unfiltered confidence and ability to craft music that resonates with his loyal fanbase.
Breaking Down the Lyrics
Lyrically, “Zan With That Lean” embodies the hedonistic themes that often dominate contemporary rap. Soulja Boy and Kwony Cash trade bars about wealth, women, and the party lifestyle, with the hook reinforcing the song’s hypnotic vibe:
I’m in my Xan with that lean, smoke nothin’ but Irene
The hoes going crazy when I’m on the scene
Throughout the track, Soulja Boy references his luxurious lifestyle, his status in the industry, and his ability to navigate the ups and downs of fame.
All the racks on me, it’s a masterpiece (Juice)
Got the hoes scream my name, put your life to shame
While some may critique the song’s themes, it’s undeniable that Soulja Boy knows his audience. His ability to create catchy, club-friendly anthems remains one of his biggest strengths.
Dispelling Cash Money Rumors
In recent months, rumors have swirled about Soulja Boy potentially signing with Birdman’s Cash Money Records. With Cash Money being home to some of the biggest names in rap, including Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj, such a move would be monumental. However, Birdman himself has confirmed that Soulja Boy is not joining the label, putting the speculation to rest.
Despite this, Soulja Boy remains focused on building his own empire. Through SODMG (Stacks On Deck Money Gang), he continues to push his brand and cultivate his own roster of talent. However, with so much going on, Soulja Boy did indicate he was signing with the label. Given how his Interscope situation has played out, being independent might be what’s best for him.
Mixtape Era 2.0: Soulja Boy’s Blueprint
The rise of Juice marks Soulja Boy’s strategic return to the internet-driven mixtape model. Much like the early 2000s saw artists like 50 Cent and Lil Wayne dominate the streets with free releases, Soulja Boy is using digital platforms to flood the market with content. In an era where social media dictates an artist’s success, Soulja Boy is proving that he understands how to stay ahead of the curve.
Fellow Atlanta rapper, Gucci Mane, also adopted the mixtape model. When he began mass-producing music, he took over the game. Initially, he wasn’t viewed as a viable lead artist. However, within two years of his mixtape releases, Gucci had two major label albums out. In addition, he wound up collaborating with the likes of Usher and Swizz Beatz. As a result, it’s “Gucci Time.”
Soulja Boy, seeing how he’s already had tremendous success as a mainstream artist, could mount an incredible commercial comeback through his mixtapes.
What’s Next for Soulja Boy?
With Juice gaining traction, fans can expect more visuals and potentially another mixtape before the year’s end. As Soulja Boy continues to evolve, his ability to adapt will determine his longevity in the industry. For now, “Zan With That Lean” serves as yet another reminder that Soulja Boy remains a self-made force in the game.
In a music industry that’s increasingly going digital, Soulja Boy may be ahead of the curve. It’s easy to overlook that he was among the first rappers to release music on iTunes. Four years ago, that led to him signing his major label record deal. During this short span of time, Soulja Boy became a millionaire. Now, he’s gone back to the grind that started it all.
Soulja Boy still has the same connections he gained when he made it big. In addition, he has a 50 Cent co-sign, which may prove beneficial in the future. After all, 50 has the Cheetah Vision film company, and Soulja Boy has expressed an interest in doing more acting.